Museum Professions Students Debut Exhibition “RISE.”

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

By Kelsey Foy

Co-curators Emily Brostek and Claudia Preza, students pursuing their M.A. in Museum Professions, a Graduate Studies program within the College of Communication and the Arts, debuted “RISE.” in the Walsh Gallery on September 5. “RISE.” is inspired by artist Käthe Kollwitz, and brings together artworks that engage a variety of social injustices and sociopolitical issues that continue to impact society today. The co-curators held an opening reception on September 14 and will host a panel discussion on September 19, titled “TALK.- A Conversation on Socio-Political Conditions” to discuss current social issues as they relate to the exhibit.

The M.A. in Museum Professions is an on-campus program designed for individuals interested in pursuing careers in museums or related cultural institutions. Students in the program select one of four professional tracks, including Museum Education, Museum Registration, Museum Management, or Exhibition Development. Exhibition Development students complete Producing an Exhibition, a course that allows a small group of students to produce an exhibition in the Walsh Gallery or an alternative location under the guidance of the gallery director. Brostek and Preza interviewed for the opportunity to guest curate at the Walsh Gallery under the direction of Gallery Director Jeanne Brasile. The pair collaborated for close to a year to open the exhibition.

“Our partnership made the class and process fun and well-organized,” said Preza. “We work very well together and are proud of our accomplishments thus far since the process does not end until the de-installation of the show.”

“RISE.” is inspired by artist Käthe Kollwitz’s etching from the Peasant War series, Outbreak from Bauernkrieg, and her personal experiences during World Wars I and II. The exhibit showcases how Kollwitz’s interest in highlighting the struggle and strength of the poor still resonates on a global level. Brostek and Preza went through the process of carefully researching and collecting each piece to add to the overall theme and purpose of the exhibit. Art pieces came from a variety of media, including: installation, painting, photography, and works on paper.

“We have spent the past eight months working on the exhibition from developing initial concepts for the show, researching and exploring the Walsh Gallery collections, exploring and selecting artists for the show, and installing the artworks,” noted Brostek. “Our hope for this show is to have the viewer take comfort in the collective strength of humanity during difficult times.”

Brostek, of New York, works at the Long Island Children’s Museum as a museum educator. Preza, of Texas, recently completed an internship at the Morris Museum. Preza selected Seton Hall to continue her education because of the Museum Professions program’s unique academic tracks. “The classes offered for my track are fundamental to my development as a curator, and the opportunities the program offers are excellent,” she said.

Preza shared her thoughts on the importance of the exhibition. “Not only does the exhibition remind us of our humanity, but it also highlights how art is a strong vehicle to voice our opinions, while raising awareness on issues that we all encounter no matter our background,” she said.

“RISE.” is open to the public until September 29, 2017. The Walsh Gallery is open Monday – Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The complementary panel discussion, “TALK. A Conversation on Socio-Political Conditions,” will take place on Tuesday, September 19 at 5 p.m. It will feature NYC artist, writer, and activist, Gregory Sholette; activist, mentor and professor, Rev. Dr. Forrest M. Pritchett; Associate Professor Dr. Cherubum Quizon, Department of Anthropology and Social Work; and artists Patricia Cazorla and Nancy Saleme.